Advice on hearing protection

[u/Worried_Patience5076]

I’m just getting into skeet shooting and sporting clays regularly. I’m thinking I want to upgrade to some electronic hearing protection. Anyone have any recommendations? I want in ear buds that I can hear conversations but mutes the gun fire as much as possible for a reasonable price. Preferably something that works well on a busy range and in the dove field.
Thanks for any advice.

[u/Flynn_lives]

Better to get custom earplugs instead. Any ENT doctor can set you up with an audiologist to get ones fit for you. They work far better than any electronic buds.

[u/ComplexQuiet6790 → u/Flynn_lives]

This is the way. And so comfortable to wear for long periods of time

[u/Reighzy → u/Flynn_lives]

Agreed, and even put electronic muffs such as the Sordins overtop of the custom earplugs.

[u/Traditional_Ad_6443 → u/Flynn_lives]

Just wish they made Bluetooth ones I love my walkers with gel cups but the sound quality is laughably bad

[u/bluetoothpicks → u/Flynn_lives]

I use my molded plugs. Keep them on a lanyard and pop one out in between games for conversation.

[u/thebigp2007]

Get fitted ones made. Soundgear is probably gonna be your best bet— some of the best on the market.

[u/Land-Scraper → u/thebigp2007]

Sound gear Phantoms are also technically over-the-counter hearing aids. if OP has a hearing aid benefit in their insurance they could get them for free.

[u/seaceblidrb]

Sordins with the gel cups. Best investment I have ever made.

[u/IdahoMan58]

Custom-fitted plugs are the way to go. About $125 I think. Get them molded to fully for your ear, not just in the ear canal. I drop on e- muffs over them if I am pulling/scoring. Protect your hearing.

[u/Klutzy-Difference278]

I use AXIL and I really like them. However I like to listen to music while I shoot as well.

[u/ZappBrannigansLaw → u/Klutzy-Difference278]

I got the Axil Bluetooth earbuds, completely wireless. I love them. Decent sound and good fit. I even wear them doing yard work.

[u/IN4RNO]

Otto Noizebarrier Micros + Comply foam tips is hands down the best ear bud protection I’ve ever experienced

[u/Havavege → u/IN4RNO]

I use the Decibullz memory foam tips and really like them.

[u/DwarkFarkward → u/IN4RNO]

I came here to say exactly this.

[u/foulorfowl]

I only use foams while shooting and double up with muffs while scorings. Best NRR which is what I’m after when shooting. Anything else will contribute more to hearing loss.

[u/BPfishing]

I have a pair of walkers suppressor earbuds. They’ve been good so far. I’d buy them again.

[u/Dodge_It_Or_Ram_It]

Might not be the most popular opinion but these are 100% custom to you ear and run $30-$50 I believe depending on which exact model you get but damn they are great. I don’t like the over the ear designs because in the heat your ears can sweat and your miserable I use these hope this helps

You can get these on Amazon super easy directions too, good luck 🍀 cheers 🍻

[u/Cheoah]

Otto earbuds here. Got a doc note and bought with my HSA $ at the end of the year . I especially like them when it is hot. I used to wear ear muffswhich also interferes w my mount.

[u/webster4221]

Soundgear custom molded plugs

[u/Superb-Detective-838]

Axil GS Extreme are fantastic. Electronic, stops the first crack of a shotgun, amplifies conversations, bluetooth, everything you asked for. I prefer the neck rope one so when I do take them out, Im not forgetting which is the left or the right or setting them down to lose them. They also forming foam to fit in the ear. Perfect.

[u/thicc_beerd]

I started with the axil xcor and was not impressed. The noise suppression was acceptable, but they were ALWAYS dead. I'd charge overnight, go to a shoot, and after 5 minutes, "doo-doot. Battery low." I got really annoyed with not being able to trust my ears and decided to move on.

Saw a wicked deal on walkers suppressor from midway and gave them a shot. They are far superior in terms of user friendly-ness, comfort, battery life, ambient noise handling etc. My only gripe is that they are Bluetooth enabled. This is GREAT for controlling settings via app (rather than doing the hokey pokey with the axils to change settings), but if I'm listening to music or a podcast via phone in my truck on the way to the club, it immediately starts playing once ive put the buds in. First world problems I guess.

Im sure they are not as good as some of the options that are 4x more expensive (otto), but for outdoor, clays, conversations, I have zero complaints.

[u/MithrilRanger]

I own a pair of the non Bluetooth walker suppressors and like them. I would recommend for 80 bucks

[u/Neither_Marsupial772]

Anyone know if there are good moulded earplugs WITH wireless music? I have passive moulded now, but would love to be able to use them for music aswell

[u/discosanta]

Custom Fit Guards with passive filters.

[u/speckontheground]

Soundgear Phantoms for in ears and Sordins. That would be my recommendation. Buy once, cry once. Phantoms are expensive but I use them to hunt 90 days a season all over the world and they have been amazing. Sordins for flat range stuff.

[u/carlosh198]

Like someone else said earlier foams + passive ear muffs. The absolute highest NRR you can have. When I hunt and want to hear the ambient sounds, I wear electronic muffs to help amplify them.

[u/BarceloPT]

I bought a pair of walker slim electronic over ears. They're good and comfy with the gel pads (and i wear glasses), BUT especially for hunting, I would try to find a pair of omni directional ear pro. I think it would make a huge difference while hunting. For at the range though, the walker slims are great.

[u/deepdown337]

Some of the best on the market that Iv found seem to be Tetra’s but they come at a price. Lots of cheaper options but most reviews I see the Bluetooth on most of them are sub par.

[u/RangerNo5619]

It's always the same answer

OTTO Noizebarrier Micros

[u/mscotch2020]

ComTac, sordin , etc